Cooper running back Xavier Wishert (left) congratulates teammate Aeneas Favors on his touchdown run. Cooper and Wylie faced each other for the first time last Thursday at Shotwell Stadium. Cooper won 48-0. It was just the third varsity game for Wishert, a freshman fullback who began the season playing freshman ball.(Photo: Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News, )Buy Photo

That’s pretty heady stuff for a guy who began the season on the freshman team.

“It’s very overwhelming, but I’m prepared and I’m ready and working hard,” said Wishert, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound freshman.

Wishert wasn’t part of first-year Cooper coach Aaron Roan’s plans for the varsity to begin the season. But when Jessus Minjivar and Noah Garcia, the team’s top two running backs on the depth chart, were injured in the season opener against Keller, Wishert was pulled up after playing one game for the freshman team.

Wishert started at fullback against Grapevine in the second week of the season, too. He caught a shovel pass from Aiden Thompson in the first quarter.

“Xavier was one we moved up out of necessity to provide some depth,” Roan said. “He’s taken it to the next level, and he’s been doing some really good stuff. We’ve been pleased with how he’s progressing.”

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Cooper running back Xavier Wishert stiff-arms a Wylie defensive player in the first meeting between the two schools last Thursday at Shotwell Stadium. Wishert had 93 total yards, including 49 on five catches, in the Cougars' 48-0 victory.(Photo: Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News, )

Garcia ended up missing the Grapevine game, while Minjivar ended up playing. Two weeks later, Garcia had a career-night against Wylie, running for 169 yards and a TD on 16 carries.

But Wishert sealed his spot with the varsity, adding 44 yards on seven carries on a night the Coogs had 272 total yards rushing. Wishert also had five catches for 49 yards, including a 20-yarder to the Wylie 7-yard line that set up Michael Rangel's second field goal, a 32-yarder, for a 20-0 lead just before the half. Only junior receiver Daelin Campos (6-57) had a better night receiving.

“We started him kind of slow in that fullback role, and we put a little bit more on him as we’ve gone,” Roan said. “He’s gotten more comfortable with it. He’s got a lot of potential, and he’s going to be a good football player.”

Thompson, a sophomore quarterback, knows how tough it is to make the jump to varsity as a freshman. He did it last year, while playing behind starting quarterback Ender Freeman.

Thompson’s father also coached their youth football team, but it was the younger Thompson who’s been Wishert’s role model since elementary school.

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Wylie linebacker Cason Hanna grabs the legs of Cooper running back Xavier Wishert during the first meeting between the two programs last Thursday at Shotwell Stadium. It was just the third game for the freshman Wishert, who began the season on the Cougars' freshman squad. He had 93 total yards in the 48-0 victory over Wylie.(Photo: Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News, )

“I’ve known him since I was in the third grade,” Wishert said. “He’s great. He’s my role model. I’ve looked up to him since I was in the third grade.”

Wishert expected to begin the year on the junior varsity, but he accepted his role on the freshman squad. Imagine his surprise when he found himself playing his first varsity game at 30,000-seat Apogee Stadium, home to the North Texas Mean Green, in Week 2.

“I was ready,” Wishert said. “My team prepared me.”

He didn’t touch the ball in the annual Crosstown Showdown against Abilene High, but his efforts blocking didn’t go unnoticed.

“It was unbelievable,” Thompson said. “He’s blocking. It might go unnoticed by the fans, but the coaches and players, we see it and we appreciate it.”

Wishert proved he can do more than block against the Bulldogs.

“My O-line did the work for me, and I made the best of it,” Wishert said.

Roan, though, gives a lot of credit to Wishert, who has emerged as a dual-threat both running and catching the ball.

“He had to adjust to the speed of the game, but he’s got the size and the strength,” Roan said. “He knows what to do when the ball’s in his hands, too. He follows those (blockers). He’s got good hands out of the backfield and can catch the ball well. It’s been a pleasant surprise watching him grow and being another weapon we can mix in offensively.”

Thompson hasn’t been surprised with Wishert’s play.

“He was up here all summer working out,” Thompson said. “We talked football. I don’t think he was nervous. He was prepared for the moment. I don’t think it was too big for him.”

Nic Bailey, Garcia and Campos have been Cooper’s go-to guys this season. Now, the Coogs have another weapon they can use against Lubbock Monterey in the District 2-5A Division I opener Thursday night in Lubbock.

Not bad for a guy whose name wasn’t even on the gameday program for the Wylie game.

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Cooper running back Xavier Wishert (left) congratulates teammate Aeneas Favors on his touchdown. Cooper and Wylie high schools faced each other for the first time Thursday Sept. 20, 2018 for the Southtown Showdown at Shotwell Stadium. Cooper won, 48-0. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News,

Wylie quarterback Jaxon Hansen scrambles with the ball. Cooper and Wylie high schools faced each other for the first time Thursday Sept. 20, 2018 for the Southtown Showdown at Shotwell Stadium. Cooper won, 48-0. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News,

Cooper defensive back Dylon Davis intercepts the pass meant for Wylie's Bailey Hicks. Cooper and Wylie high schools faced each other for the first time Thursday Sept. 20, 2018 for the Southtown Showdown at Shotwell Stadium. Cooper won, 48-0. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News,

Cooper running back Abala Lokendo is pulled down by the Wylie defense. Cooper and Wylie high schools faced each other for the first time Thursday Sept. 20, 2018 for the Southtown Showdown at Shotwell Stadium. Cooper won, 48-0. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News,

Cooper's Braiden Hill is brought down by the Wylie defense. Cooper and Wylie high schools faced each other for the first time Thursday Sept. 20, 2018 for the Southtown Showdown at Shotwell Stadium. Cooper won, 48-0. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News,

The Cooper High School marching band performs at halftime. Cooper and Wylie high schools faced each other for the first time Thursday Sept. 20, 2018 for the Southtown Showdown at Shotwell Stadium. Cooper won, 48-0. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News,

Cooper wide receiver Daelin Campos runs out of bounds after the pass he was trying to receive went wide. Cooper and Wylie high schools faced each other for the first time Thursday Sept. 20, 2018 for the Southtown Showdown at Shotwell Stadium. Cooper won, 48-0. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News,

Game officials declare the extra point after a Cooper touchdown as good. Cooper and Wylie high schools faced each other for the first time Thursday Sept. 20, 2018 for the Southtown Showdown at Shotwell Stadium. Cooper won, 48-0. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News,

Noah Garcia runs for a gain in yards, trying to elude the Wylie defense. Cooper and Wylie high schools faced each other for the first time Thursday Sept. 20, 2018 for the Southtown Showdown at Shotwell Stadium. Cooper won, 48-0. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News,

Wylie linebacker Cason Hanna grabs the legs of Cooper running back Xavier Wishert. Cooper and Wylie high schools faced each other for the first time Thursday Sept. 20, 2018 for the Southtown Showdown at Shotwell Stadium. Cooper won, 48-0. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News,

Wylie quarterback Jaxon Hansen is tackled by Dylon Davis and Colton Foster (right). Cooper and Wylie high schools faced each other for the first time Thursday Sept. 20, 2018 for the Southtown Showdown at Shotwell Stadium. Cooper won, 48-0. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News,

Cooper's Daelin Campos pushes through the Wylie defense. Cooper and Wylie high schools faced each other for the first time Thursday Sept. 20, 2018 for the Southtown Showdown at Shotwell Stadium. Cooper won, 48-0. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News,

Cooper running back Xavier Wishert stiff-arms a Wylie defensive player. Cooper and Wylie high schools faced each other for the first time Thursday Sept. 20, 2018 for the Southtown Showdown at Shotwell Stadium. Cooper won, 48-0. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News,